Trigger release mechanism for a plurality of guns



July 21, 1959 c w. Musst-:R I 2,895,381

TRIGGER RELEASE MEcHANIsM FOR A PLURALITY oF GUNS original Filed'Feb. 24, 1953 FIGA y. M M.

United States TRIGGER RELEASE MECHANISM FOR A PLURALITY F GUNS CVWalton Musser, Beverly, Mass., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army 2 Claims. (Cl. 89--27) (Granted under Title 35, U.S. Code (1952), sec. 266) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government, for governmental purposes, 'without the payment of any royalty thereon.

This is a divisional application carved from U.S. Patent Number 2,805,603, dated September l0, 1957, for Gun Aiming Mechanism With Associated Trigger Release Mechanism and Supporting Mount, in my name.

The present invention relates to a trigger nelease mechanism for armament; particularly to a trigger release mechanism operable to actuate the trigger mechanisms of a plurality of guns, thereby to tire those guns.

IIn recent years, the use, by marine and ground combat forces, of lightweight, highly mobile armament of large, artillery caliber, such as recoilless ries, rocket launchers, and other like weapons, has increased considerably.

-In many instances, such weapons are equipped with a spotting rifle of smaller caliber, the purpose, arrangement and use of which rie is well known in the art.

In using such combination of large and smaller caliber weapons, it is the usual practice to aim the weapons, in any convenient manner; then to re the spotting rifle to ascertain if the weapons are correctly aimed; then to re the lange caliber weapon, if the weapons are aimed correctly.

Of course, many times in combat it is vitally impory tant to complete the aiming process and to fire the large caliber weapon very quickly in order to get-in the allimportant iirst shot against an enemy; it being easy to understand that as little as a fraction of a second of time could well mean the diierence between victory and defeat. f

Heretofore, it |was usual practice to have a trigger release mechanism for the large caliber weapon and another,` separate, similar trigger release mechanism for the spotting riile. Therefore, the matter of tiring the spotting rie and the large caliber weapon required the manipulation of two separate mechanisms and consumed valuable seconds of time.

The present invention advances the art by providing a single trigger release mechanism connected to the respective trigger mechanisms of the large and smaller caliber Weapons; the trigger release mechanism of the invention being comprised of a paucity of components; being operated in one manner to actuate the trigger mechanism of one of the weapons and, thus, to tire that weapon; and being operated in another manner to actuate the trigger mechanism of the other Weapon, and thus, to re that Weapon.

Some objects of the present invention are: to provide a small, lightweight, simply constructed trigger release mechanism operable to actuate the trigger mechanisms and, thereby, to re a plurality of guns; to provide a trigger release mechanism which is especially useful on Alight-Weight, highly mobile armament of artillery caliber, such as recoilless riiles, rocket launchers and other ICC 2 like weapons, equipped with spotting ries; and to simplify the procedure for firing a spotting rie and a large caliber weapon, so that either'a spotting rifle or a larger caliber weapon can be tired, when desired and either one of them can be tired, as often as desired, independently of the other.

The foregoing and other objects will become apparent, along with the advantages thereof, from an inspection of the following description and the accompanying drawings which explain and illustrate, respectively, one preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the drawings:

Fig. l is a view of the trigger release mechanism of the present invention attached to a large caliber recoilless ritie, partially shovm, and operatively connected to that rie and to a smaller caliber spotting rie carried by the recoilless rifle; the ries `being shown in comparatively thin lines;

Fig. 2 is a view, drawn to an enlarged scale, taken along line 2 2 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction there indicated;

Fig. 3 is a cross section, drawn to an enlarged scale, taken along line 3-3 of Fig. l, looking in the direction there indicated, and showing certain components of the trigger release mechanism in one position;

Fig. 3A is similar to Fig. 3, but shows the same components in another position;

Fig. 3B is also similar to Fig. 3, but shows the same components in still another position; and

Fig. 4 is a cross section taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3 and looking in the direction there indicated.

Briefly, the trigger release mechanism of the present invention comprises an angularly displaceable or pivotal member which is accommodated in and supported by a housing so as to be pivotally movable in the housing about either one of two axes in consequence of longitudinal, sliding movement of an actuating member which is in interengagement with the angularly displaceable member and which is supported for such movement by the housing.

One end of a longitudinally shiftable member is connected to one part of the angularly displaceable member, and the opposite end of the same shiftable member is connected to a trigger mechanism of the spotting rifle. Similarly, one end of another longitudinally shiftable member is connected to another part of the angularly displaceable member, and the opposite end of that shiftable member is connected to a trigger mechanism on the recoilless rie.

When the actuating member is pushed toward the housing, the angularly displaceable member is pivoted about a first axis in the housing; this action exerting a pull on one of the longitudinally shiftable members to actuate the trigger mechanism of one rie and, thus, to tire that rifle. When the push on the actuating member is released, a convenient means in the trigger mechanism may pull back on the longitudinally shiftable member to return the angularly displaceable member and the actuating member to the initial position.

Similarly, when the actuating member is pulled away from the housing, the angularly displaceable member is pivoted about a second axis in the housing; this action exerting a pull on the other longitudinally shiftable member to actuate the trigger mechanism of the other rie and, thus, to tire that rifle. When the pull on the actuating member is released, another convenient means in the last-named trigger mechanism may pull back on the last-named longitudinally shiftable member to return the angularly displaceable member and that longitudinally shiftable member to the initial position.

Referring to Fig. l, the trigger release mechanism 3S of the present invention is shown in association with a u. m ti in recoilless rifle 39, preferably of artillery caliber, and with a spotting riiie 40 of less caliber; the latter rifle being mounted upon and carried by the former rifle in any convenient manner.

Forming part of recoilless rifle 39 is a trigger mechanism 41, ofy usual construction, which is actuated to re that rifle in consequence of a pull exerted on a longitudinally shiftable flexible cable, or lanyard, 42, which cable is contained in and supported by a conduit 43; one end of the named cable and conduit being attached to trigger mechanism 41 in usual manner.

Similarly, forming part of spotting rifle 40 is a trigger mechanism 44 which is actuated to re that rifle in consequence of a pull exerted on a longitudinally shiftable flexible cable, or lanyard, 45, which cable is contained in and supported by a conduit 46; one end of the last-named cable and conduit being attached to trigger mechanism 44 in usual manner.

Later herein, it will be explained that the remaining ends of cables 42 and 45 and conduits 43 and 46 are attached to trigger release mechanism 38, which mechanism is operable to exert a pull successively on each cable, thereby to actuate trigger mechanisms 41 and 44, and, thus, to fire rifles 39 and 40.

In essence, trigger release mechanism 3S comprises an angularly displaceable member, or walking beam, 295 (Figs. 3, 3A, 3B and 4), and a housing 296 (Figs. 1 through 4) for the walking beam; the housing being attached to a pad 309 (Figs. 1, 2 and 4), formed on recoilless rie 39, as by the screws 310 (Figs. 3, 3A and 3B) used in usual manner.

Walking beam 295 has a bar-like base portion 299 (Figs. 3, 3B and 4) which has the rounded ends, or projections, 300 and 301 (Figs. 3, 3A and 3B), and has, also, an arm portion 302 (also see Fig. 4) which projects outwardly from the named base portion.

Rounded ends 300 and 301 of base portion 299 each have a spherical-bottomed recess 303 (Fig. 3A). The recess in rounded end 300 accommodates the ball ter minal 304 which is secured to the remaining end of cable 42; the cable extending into housing 296 by way of a convenient opening in the housing and in an externally threaded lug 314 (Figs. 2 and 3), thereon, which lug is for attaching the remaining end (not shown) of conduit 43 (Fig. l) to the housing in the usual manner.

Similarly, the recess in rounded end 301 of the base portion of the walking beam accommodates the ball terminal 305 (Fig. 3A) which is secured to the remaining end of cable 45; the cable extending into housing 296 by way of a convenient opening in the housing and in an externally threaded lug 315 (Figs. 2 and 3) thereon, which lug is for attaching `the remaining end (not shown) of conduit 46 (Fig. l) to the housing in usual manner.

Access into each recess 303 for the purpose of easily attaching cables 42 and 45 and ball terminals 304 and 3&5 to Walking beam 295 is provided by the slit 306 (Fig. 3A) formed in each rounded end; each slit being greater in `width than the diameter of the respective cables, and each slit extending a sufcient distance into each recess to allow for later pivotal movement of the walking beam.

As shown in Figs. 3, 3A, 3B and 4, walking beam 295 is disposed in a recess in housing 296, which recess has a straight wall 317 (Fig. 3), an arcuate wall 318, and a shorter, arcuate wall 319, and which recess, also, has the juncture between wail 317 and 318 rounded to form a socket or pivotal support for the rounded end 300 on the Walking beam and the juncture between wall 317 and 319 rounded to form a socket or pivotal support for the rounded end 301 on the walking beam; base portion 299 of the walking beam, for the present time, abutting wall 317, and the rounded ends on the 'walking beam tting into the sockets, respectively, in the recess, as shown in Fig. 3.

From Figs. 3 and 4, it is obvious that, because of the shape of the recess just described, walking beam 295 is capable of no other than pivotal movement about the axis of either one of its two rounded ends in housing 296 at a time, which movement is dealt with later herein.

Also disposed in housing 296` is a directly manually operable longitudinally slidable actuating member, or rod, 264 (Figs. 2 through 4); the rod being supported by the housing for sliding movement, in opposite directions along the axis of the rod, `with respect to the housing. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a portion of rod 264 extends outside housing 296 and is provided with a knob 284 through the agency of which the rod is slidably movable lwith respect to the housing. Furthermore, as shown in Figs. 3, 3A and 4, another portion of rod 264 is provided with a circumferential groove 323 which interengages with the free end of arm 302 on walking beam 29S; the arm being provided with a groove 308 (Figs. 3A and 4). Therefore, it is apparent that sliding movement of rod 264 with respect to housing 296 results in pivotal movement of walking beam 295 about either one of two axes in the housing, Adepending upon the direction in which the rod is slid. The movements of the rod and the walking beam will be described presently herein.

Because trigger release mechanism 38 is attached to recoilless rie 39 (Figs. 1 and 2), -as stated, that trigger release mechanism, at all times, moves in unison 'with that riie and with spotting rifle 41 (Fig. l) carried thereby. In consequence of this condition, there is no necessity to have extra slack in cables 42 and 45, nor in conduits 43 and 46 to allow for maximum adjustments of the riiles in azimuth or elevation, since the distance from housing 296 of the trigger release mechanism to trigger mechanisms 41 and 44 on the rifles, respectively, remain constant at all times.

Trigger release mechanism 38 (Fig. l) is operated to exert a pull on cables 42 and 45 (also see Figs. 2 through 3B) to actuate trigger mechanisms 41 and 44, and, thereby re ries 39 and 40, as follows:

To re spotting rie 40, which rifle is usually, but not necessarily, tired first, knob 284 (Figs. l through 3) is pushed toward housing 296; this action sliding rod 264 from the first, or neutral, position sh-own in Fig. 3 to the second position shown in Fig. 3B with respect to the housing. Because of the stated interengagement between rod 264 and walking beam 295, this sliding of the rod pivotally moves walking beam 295 in a counterclockwise direction from the first, or neutral, position shown in Fig. 3 to the second position shown in Fig. 3B; the walking beam pivoting about the axis of rounded end 300 in the housing.

As the walking beam is so moved, a pull is exerted on cable 45 connected to the walking beam, which pull actuates trigger mechanism 44 (Fig. l) on spotting riiie 40 and, thereby, results in the firing of that rifle.

If the spotting rifle is self feeding, that rie will continue to tire until the push on knob 284 is released, at which time a means (not shown) in trigger mechanism 44 pulls back on cable 45 and returns walking beam 295 and rod 264 to the positions shown in Fig. 3. This, how ever, could be effected by merely pulling the knob back to the initial position.

if the spotting rifle is a single tire type, firing can be repeated any desired nlunber of times by repeating the procedure stated.

To re recoilless riiie 39 (Fig. l), knob 284 (Figs. l through 3) is pulled away from housing 296; this action sliding rod 264 from the first, or neutral, position shown in Fig. 3 yto the third position shown in Fig. 3A with respect to the housing. Because of the stated interengagement between rod 264 and walking beam 295, this sliding of that rod pivotally moves the Walking beam in a clockwise direction from the first, or neutral, position shown in Fig. 3 to the third position shown in Fig. 3A;

the walking-beam pivoting about the axis of rounded end 301 in the housing.

As the walking 'beam is so moved, a pull is exerted on cable 42 connected to the walking beam, which pull actuates trigger mechanism 41 (Fig. 1) on recoilless rifle 39, and, thereby, results in the tiring of that rie.

When the pull on knob 284 is released, convenient means (not shown) included in trigger mechanism 41 v pulls back on cable 42 to return the walking beam and the rod to the positions shown in Fig. 3. This, however, could be done by merely pushing the knob back to the original position.

From the foregoing, it is evident that I have provided a small, lightweight, simply constructed trigger release mechanism operable to actuate the trigger mechanisms, and, thereby, to lire a plurality of guns; that I have provided a trigger release mechanism which is especially useful on lightweight, highly mobile armament of artillery caliber, such as recoilless rifles, rocket launchers and other like weapons, equipped with spotting riiles; and that I have simpliied the procedure for tiring a spotting rifle and a larger caliber weapon, so that either a spotting rifle or a larger caliber weapon can be red when desired and either one of them can be fired, fas often as desired, independently of the other one.

Those in the art understand that the embodiment of the invention described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings is for illustrative purposes only and is amenable to modifications and variations without departing from the original spirit and scope thereof. For that reason, I do not want the invention to be limited by the narrow contines of the embodiment shown and described; but, rather, only by the metes and bounds of the following claims:

I claim:

1. In a combination with a large caliber rie, of a smaller caliber spotting fille by means of which the larger caliber rie may be brought to bear on a target by the preliminary firing of said spotting rie, the combination with said large caliber rifle and said spotting riile of the improvement for simplifying and expediting the tiring of said spotting rifle and larger caliber rie by means of a single trigger release mechanism, said improvement including a flexible cable for said spotting rifle, a second ilexible cable for said larger caliber rile, a guide for each exible cable, a firing means for each of said ries' on pulling its flexible cable, a walking beam having a pivotal support adjacent each end portion for selectively supporting said Walking beam and pulling either eXible cable, one of said ilexible cables being attached to said walking beam adjacent each pivotal support and an actuating arm projection on said walking beam intermediate its end portions, whereby said actuating arm pnojection may be moved in a first direction pivoting a first rounded end portion of the Walking beam about its adjacent pivotal support and pulling the iiexible cable attached to an opposite end portion of the walking beam, and whereby said actuating arm pnojection may be moved in a direction opposite the lrst direction, pivoting a second end portion of the walking beam about its adjacent pivotal support and pulling the ilexible cable attached to an end portion of the walking beam opposite said rst mentioned pivotal support.

2. A combination according to claim 1 with a means including a longitudinally slidable rod for engaging and moving the actuating arm projection of the walking beam and guiding means for supporting said longitudinally slidable rod.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,499,497 Gross Mar. 7, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 442,761 Great Britain Feb. 14, 1936 184,909 Switzerland Sept. 1, 1936 

